Peep Stone

Excerpt from ‘Book of Mormon Translation’, LDS Gospel Topic Essay: 1 “Nevertheless, the scribes and others who observed the translation left numerous accounts that give insight into the process. Some accounts indicate that Joseph studied the characters on the plates. Most of the accounts speak of Joseph’s use of the Urim and Thummim (either the … Read more

I Have Set by His Side

Footnote 31, ‘Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham’, LDS Gospel Topic Essay: 1 “31. John Whitmer, History, 1831–ca. 1837, 76, in Karen Lynn Davidson, Richard L. Jensen, and David J. Whittaker, eds., Histories, Volume 2: Assigned Historical Writings, 1831–1847, vol. 2 of the Histories series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean … Read more

Word of Wisdom

Excerpt from a 1977 General Conference address by Gordon B. Hinckley: 1 “The so-called Mormon code of health, widely praised in these days of cancer and heart research, is in reality a revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1833 as a “Word of Wisdom” from the Lord. (D&C 89:1.) In no conceivable way could it … Read more

I Can Find Only One

Address of the Prophet—His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo

Excerpt from ‘Address of the Prophet—His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo’ (Sunday, May 26, 1844), shortly before his death:1 Be meek and lowly, upright and pure; render good for evil. If you bring on yourselves your own destruction, I will complain. It is not right for a man to bare down his neck to … Read more

Showing Affection

Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:[footnote]Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks[/footnote] Q. How should you address a same-sex couple in a Sacrament Meeting who are showing inappropriate affection? A. Elder Perry: Refer to the Jan 9th letter issued by the Senior Brethren. We do not turn anyone away from Sacrament … Read more

It Takes Religion

Image: Artists portrayal of Nephi slaying Laban (1 Nephi 4) while he was incapacitated. Steven Weinberg (born May 3, 1933) is an American theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his contributions with Abdus Salam and Sheldon Glashow to the unification of the weak force and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles. “With or without religion, … Read more

The Late War

Image: Title page of The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain, by Gilbert J. Hunt  A single example out of hundreds between The Late War (published 1816) and The Book of Mormon (Published 1830). The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain, by Gilbert J. Hunt – 34:10 But it … Read more

Joseph Boasts

Image: Joseph Smith Jr.  ‘Address of the Prophet [Joseph Smith Jr.] — His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo.’, History of the Church[footnote]History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409[/footnote] President Joseph Smith read the 11th Chap. 2 Corinthians. My object is to let you know that I am right here on the spot where … Read more

Justified Evil

Image: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – April 2017 General Conference   From the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10-13, 18:[footnote]1 Nephi 10-13, 18 – LDS.org[/footnote] 10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed … Read more

Evil of the World

Image: President Thomas S. Monson and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – April 2017 General Conference Excerpt from President Thomas S. Monson’s April 2017 General Conference address:[footnote]Thomas S. Monson’s April 2017 General Conference address – LDS.org[/footnote] “We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in … Read more

Proposition 8

Image: Elder Lance Wickman – LDS General Authority Elder Lance Wickman in a 2012 interview speaking about the LDS churches involvement in the California Proposition 8 amendment against marriage equality: [footnote]Elder Wickman – Thoughts on Proposition 8[/footnote] “The first thought that comes to my mind is the shear heroism of our members in California, and others who stood … Read more